What We're Reading: Edward

Silent sea

(The Oregon Files)

by Clive Cussler

and Jack du Brul

From 1405 to 1433, the Chinese admiral Zheng He sent out seven fleets of ships to extend Chinese trade in the Indian Ocean. The records from the 8th and 9th fleets were destroyed by a reactionary Emperor. Some historians believe that these fleets were sent East out into the Pacific Ocean. Some believe that the fleets could have reached the western shores of North and South America. Juan Cabrillo, Captain of the Oregon, is sent to recover part of an American satellite from the jungles of Argentina. Juan and his crew recover the satellite and a journal that mentions a treasure pit off the coast of Washington state. What links the pirate treasure pit to the destruction of the American satellite? In the treasure pit, Juan discovers a Chinese plaque. Is it a Chinese or pirate treasure that awaits discovery? Meanwhile the Argentineans claim sovereignty over part of Antarctica. They proclaim an exclusionary zone in the Southern Ocean. The Argentineans and the Chinese have hidden from the world their plan to extract oil from under Antarctica. The Oregon is the only ship in the area to stop them. The balance of world power and a possible ecological disaster are on the shoulders of the crew of the Oregon!